Disclaimer: I do not own any part of the Harry Potter Universe.
A/N: Thank you to you everyone who has followed/favourited or reviewed. Also I'm away for the next week as it's half-term here in the UK so it's likely that my next chapter will be a little delayed as I won't get a chance to edit it.
Writing to Reach You
Harry was in a particularly bad mood, his lesson with Flitwick had been nothing short of a disaster and whatever was going on with his magic had somehow been misdiagnosed. To make matters worse his boyfriend and baby were nowhere to be found. He knew Teddy was spending the day at Shell Cottage but Charlie's whereabouts were a mystery. It made him nervous as he thought that Charlie would have mentioned it to him if something important had happened or he had made some sort of plans for the morning. He couldn't stop his mind running through all the worst case scenarios whilst they had lunch or through the following couple of hours. He spent his time pretending to read a book but actually continually glanced at the clock in the corner. Only the fact that Charlie's hand was not pointing towards Mortal danger had stopped him from forcing the issue with anyone else as they all seemed to have a much better idea where Charlie was than he did. Instead he satisfied himself with running to the front door when he heard it open and slapping his boyfriend hard on the shoulder for making him worry. He immediately felt guilty when he took in Charlie's face, he had obvious tear tracks and looked more weary than he had ever seen before.
"What the hell happened to you? I thought you were going to spend the morning in the paddock with everyone else. I've been so worried since you didn't come back with them."
"I went to the Tonks' to sort out their stuff and pack away the things that I thought Teddy might want to have in the future."
"Oh babe," He never normally called Charlie any particular term of endearment , they just reminded of him of his Aunt Petunia and Dudley, but he couldn't help himself this time as his boyfriend just looked so devastated. When he began to stroke his boyfriend's face Charlie nuzzled in and placed a light kiss on his palm.
"Charlie, is that you? There are leftovers on the side if you want them" Mrs Weasley said from the top of the stairs carrying a basket of laundry.
"Okay, thanks Mum. Hey come and sit with me in the kitchen a minute, micuto. We need to talk about some of the stuff I got at the Tonks'." They made their way to the kitchen and rather than digging into the available sandwiches Charlie waved his wand around to cast a number of privacy spells and then sat opposite him taking both of his hands in his. "Harry, there's no easy way to say this but Lupin had your parents trunks stored away in the attic."
"He did?! Why didn't he tell me?"
"I don't know but there was a letter on the top of them in what I assume is his handwriting."
"Can I see it?"
"Of course." and he withdrew a slightly crumpled envelope out of his pocket and handed it over. Harry tore it open and pocketed the two keys that fell out before he began to read the letter whilst Charlie ate his sandwiches.
Dear Harry,
Firstly if you're reading this letter then I have passed on and gone to join your parents and Sirius. As you have this letter then I can only hope that you also have your parents trunks, they are charmed to stay together. I must apologise for never giving them to you personally however I must admit to being unable to pass them on to you until you came of age, your mother really was a most exceptional charms mistress. I think she wanted to make sure that you were mature enough to deal with whatever is inside, I do not know what, or perhaps it was to keep you out should they survive. I suppose I should tell you the story of how I got them in the first place. When they learned of the prophecy and the danger it placed you in they began to split their belongings and they gave me their trunks to look after.
Now I am sure you are desperate to see inside the trunks so I will only say that It has been an honour to know you Harry. You are the best of both your parents and it is to my shame that I have had such a small amount of time with you.
Yours Faithfully,
Remus
After he was done reading Harry wasn't exactly sure what to think. He had never had so much from his parents, nothing at all until he'd re-entered the magical world, and yet… What if what he found didn't live up to his expectations? He could still vividly remember each of his trips into Snape's memories and how they coloured the way he viewed his parents. He would never be able to unlearn whatever he found in there, it was a change from his usual insatiable ancient myth of Pandora's box crossed his mind and he mentally reminded himself that there was unlikely to be evil spirits within them. Just a lot of painful memories.
"Harry? Are you okay?" He hadn't noticed that Charlie had come around the table and was now sitting next to him or that he put his arms around him until he spoke. "You've been sitting staring at that letter for a couple of minutes."
"Yeah, I just…wasn't expecting it. I'm not sure what I want to do."
"Did his letter explain?"
"yeah he said there mum put a charm on them so I wouldn't be able to open them until I was 17 and then well…"
"Voldemort was ruling the country and you were public enemy number 1."
"Exactly. I just... I don't know whether I want to open them. What if it isn't what I thought, it just raises a load of questions and I don't know anyone left that can answer them."
"If you're not ready for them then I can shrink them and keep them safe until you are." Charlie said whilst rubbing rhythmic circles on his back to calm him.
"No…no…I want to know." he said more surely than he actually felt. "Keeping them closed will just mean I'll obsess over what could possibly be in there rather than what I know is."
"So which first?"
"Mum's. I've had Sirius and Lupin tell me stories about my dad but most of what I know about my mum comes from Snape's memories."
He went over to the trunk and began to open each of the compartments just as Dumbledore had done when looking for Moody at the end of his fourth year. When he opened the top layer a letter almost hit him in the face as it flew out of the trunk and fluttered in front of him like a non-irate howler. He grabbed it and passed it to Charlie before asking him to read it aloud to him.
20th Nov. 1980
My dearest- darlingest Har-bear
You must be squirming now if everything has gone to plan you'll be a teenager and deeply embarrassed by everything your parents do. I can only hope that I'm getting read this next to you. However we saw Dumbledore today and he told us the prophecy and I just cannot imagine that you have such future struggle ahead of you. My little boy. If the I'm not with you now, know this that neither your father or I could ever regret giving our lives for you. If we were giving the choice a thousand times we would always do whatever it took to keep you safe. Not because the destiny that Dumbledore believes could be yours but because we love you more than life itself. When you have your own children, and you're not allowed to die before you do, you'll understand that there's no end to a parent's love. I promise I am not usually so mushy,as you hopefully know, but being told that your child has a 50/50 chance of doing battle with Voldemort and no guarantee of success affects someone.
So onto practicalities before this becomes illegible. Inside are a number of things, both muggle and wizarding, that I think are important for you to have and were mine to give. I'd like to point out a few to you. Firstly included are all my school books and a diary for each year from the beginning of 2nd year to now. I've got my current one charmed so that it'll go in the trunk once it's full. Secondly is something that I hope you won't be needing for a number of years but included are my nana Evans, my grandmothers were both called Violet, engagement ring and along with her and Grandad's wedding rings You don't have to use them but I wanted you to have the option when you're ready. Don't worry about who you pick as long as they love you with their whole heart then your father and I couldn't be happier for you. You should have the Potter rings to bestow as well, I'll leave that for James to explain as he understands wizarding inheritance and customs far better than I. One of the few advantages of a pureblood upbringing however ask your father to use a muggle train and he somehow ends up in Aberdeen rather than London (the fact that there was more than one platform confused him!). Anyway you'll be able to read about that so I'll get back to my list, all my old spell books as well as the stuff I used post-school to start my mastery. I know you'll be near the end of your education but they may well be useful for your NEWT year and beyond. Also Sirius had a terrible time as he had burned all his OWL work in a fit of teenage rebellion and then spent the entire time borrowing your fathers or Remus's stuff and I wanted to save you that just in case you'd done something similar. Not that you should engage in casual vandalism but you have James Potter as a father and three marauders as honoury uncles so I'm not holding my breath.
With that I shall say goodbyes my darling Har-Bear. I shall love you always even if I am no longer there to wipe your tears and see your smiles.
Live happy darling, it is the most important thing anyone can do.
Mum xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Once Charlie was done reading Harry took the opportunity to climb into his lap and they gently rocked together neither one saying anything for awhile. The silencing charms kept out the noise from the rest of the house and its numerous occupants as they comforted each other. He took the opportunity to get his tears under control and
Eventually Harry croaked, "So it turns out that sugary sweet nicknames seems to be genetic."
Charlie chuckled weakly before replying, "So do you wanna read your dad's letter or start going through your mum's stuff?"
"Can we get her diaries and then you read my dad's letter?"
"Sure thing." Rather using a summoning charm, to avoid accidental damage, they both started to lift books out of the trunk. Fortunately the diaries were close to the top and once they were done Harry had a stack of nine books the earliest few were thick but simple notebooks but from her 6th year they were beautiful leather bound journals. They swiftly returned the various other books back into the trunk.
"Ready for your dad's letter?"
"Yep", and he went through the same procedure to open the other trunk but this time the letter didn't fly out but was merely lying on top of his father's belongings.
Dear Harry,
I shall start with what Lily wanted me to say about wizarding inheritance as she's lying in my lap as I write this. Hopefully you've been raised knowing the customs of our world, even if it's not by us, but there's always the possibility that you weren't. The boys and Dumbledore have instructions to raise you predominately in the muggle world to keep you as safe as possible, should we die. Lily has even been giving Padfoot muggle lessons to help him blend in, just in case. I got the same treatment before I met her family for the first time. Anyway back to the topic as an orphan, until you come of age Gringotts witholds all but the interest from the family accounts from was designed to protect the funds from being embezzled by a nefarious guardian. After your birthday you'll need to claim it by asking the goblins for access to your full inheritance. I placed everything I could in the vault. For future reference you can't put sentinent paintings under these terms as it intereferes with the enchantments but pretty much everything else is all right (some potion ingredients don't keep well but are not actively dangerous). The first time you visit Gringotts after your birthday and claim your inheritance they will provide you with a list of everything that's there as well as you being allowed to decide who is allowed access rather than whoever had the key as it has been in the past. Be careful Harry whoever you put on will have them same spending power as you so think hard about it. For instance I didn't add your mum until we were formally engaged. Once you get into the vault, and deeper into my trunk, you'll find books about wizarding customs and such like so I'll leave it there.
Now that the dull bits out of the way lets get down to business. Please, please take after your mother she is a much better human being than your dear old dad. Sirius and I were arrogant bullies through much of our Hogwarts careers and I would hate to see you follow in my footsteps in that regard. I did a lot of things I can only think about with shame now and I dread having to tell you about them. Trust me when I say this it will make wooing whoever you decide on much easier if they do not believe you to be the biggest prat of Hogwarts. However should you win the Quidditch Cup, no matter the house, yes really even Slytherin, then I could not be prouder of you. Pay particular attention to the redheads apparently an ancestor laughed at a witch's ginger hair and she cursed the male Potter line to only fall in love with redheads as punishment. I don't know whether the stories true but the family tree certainly bears it out. How the Potter mop survived i really do not know. I'm sure your mum or Moony would know of some sort of charm to make it pop up in every generation.
The day you were born was the proudest, and most terrifying, of my life. I knew at that moment that I would give my life for yours in less than a heartbeat.
Like you forever
Love you for always
Dad xxxxx
"Well it turns out you fell in love with me because of a curse from a spurned lover. Do you think that means if I die or lose my hair then you won't love me anymore?" Harry understood that his boyfriend was trying to cheer him up but all it accomplished as him holding on even tighter and manically shaking his head into his chest the weight of the day hitting him.
"No, I love your hair but that's not why I'm with you."
"It isn't? Damn I so thought it was." Harry couldn't stop himself smiling weakly at that.
"Thank you. For doing this back at the house and reading my letters for me. It would have been unbearable without you here."
"Do you want to look through or keep cuddling?"
"Keep cuddling, please"